Lifting? Fox 2.0 Won't allow more? Come on in!

As a small reference to another thread of completed product I feel it is my job to provide the greater TW mass with this link:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/289215-fox-2-0-deavers-1-5-aal-gm-bump-stops.html

I've done searching high and low for Fox 2.0 shocks with a remote mountable reservoir, I am currently running piggybacks and am not 100% pleased with them, not that they don't perform fine, but the way they hard mount to the vehicle.

I am also going to be lifting the rear another 2.25" or so with a Icon (wheelers, or all-pro) 1.5" AAL setup, however I AM going to be leaving the overload spring in.

- Currently the only offered shock through fox with an external reservoir for 2nd gen's is part #980-02-372A

Which is a piggyback mounted on the bottom of the shock not on top. Given that it is a factory series which is vehicle specific for the Tacoma 05-13 it is more expensive and is using a thicker 7/8" shaft.

However, the problem lies in the overall design, which most have voiced looks like it will fail on the trail while doing some crawling or backing up. Additionally, it appears that these shocks are ONLY good for 1" of additional lift. Which leaves us who want to level out the rear after doing a Bilstein 5100 2.5" adjustment to the front of the truck stuck in a rut with no options.

- It seems there has been information posted on here before, but is insanely vague and lost within the hundreds of thousands of pages within the forum. That needs to change.

- The Fox 2.0 series is offered for 1st gen Tacoma's as well which is a total blessing in disguise, because I have found that it is offered in 3 different lengths! They offer the stock 8" travel as well as 10" (For those looking to do the 1.5" AAL and keeping the overload spring in) and 12" of travel for those looking for more additional lift.

The main part number for those looking to do a 3 leaf 1.5" AAL setup is: 980-24-636
They mount up just like the factory series piggybacks intended specifically for the 2nd gen's, stem up top, eyelet on bottom. They are also $72 cheaper typically per side then factory series at about $198 per side vs. $270 per side, which is a win-win in my book!

- One small footnote I must add is that going from stock series piggybacks to these be prepared to lose some shaft thickness. These at 5/8" shafts compared to the stock series 7/8" thick shafts. One other difference is the type of metal used for the 5/8" shaft is hard chromed heat treated alloy steel vs. the 7/8" shaft's hard chrome plated stainless steel 17-4 H900

- For those looking to beat the shit out of their truck for extended periods of time at a time, I would suggest searching for getting these in 7/8". If you like to wheel and plan on doing all but flipping the darn truck the 5/8" shaft's will fare you just fine.

- If you pick any of these shocks listed above up, I suggest you get dust boots for them to cover them up, only attach the top and let the bottom hang down. The purpose of this is to protect the actual shock from debris (mainly rocks and gravel) flying from the front or rear tires which can potentially nick the shaft and cause leakage or damaged seals.

** Just in case you missed the part numbers here is a little cheat sheet for you:
Part Number Extended Length | Collapsed Length | Travel
980-24-635 | 21.19 | 13.19 | 8" (Stock)
980-24-636 | 25.19 | 15.19 | 10"
980-24-637 | 30.19 | 18.19 | 12"

Taken from this site:
http://www.kartek.com/Product/1460/2-0-Factory-Stem-Mount-Remote-Reservoir-5-8-Shaft.aspx



I don't know about you, but I like knowing I have options!

 

That is the big issue with the piggybacks, truthfully I'd rather keep the piggybacks if they would allow more lift, but after doing so much research and realizing the lift will pretty much render these useless, I'd rather get what I was looking for in the first place. Like I said you know, it's a great thing to have options!

So as far the shaft being protected goes, Idk, You would think that since the entire shaft hangs down on the RR's instead of coming up like on the Piggybacks, they have a better chance of letting out any kind of crap just due to gravity. Unlike the piggybacks where anything that could get on them, the chances of ruining a wiper seal is more likely, even if you had a dust boot on.

 

Dibs if you sell your piggy backs

 

I am going to be sending them back to ORW, Lol. We already have a deal worked out, now they are just waiting on my go-ahead for the option of which shocks I want. After finding out these direct bolt on stock replacements with different heights exist now, you can bet your behind I am telling them to ship me out tomorrow morning!

AAL is still being decided on which one to get, I can wait for the wheelers progressives (they are on backorder for the next two weeks), the ICON's, or I can do All-Pro, but since they charge for shipping I might as well get the icon's with the shocks sent out, because they gave me a screaming deal on the icon AAL's for $198 with tax shipped. I'd only be saving $10 going through All-Pro, and I want to receive the parts all at once and get it done all at once.

 

Well damn lol

 

I'd do an even trade..

 

Mind blown? Mine was too after finding all this, hell I just had a full blown epiphany

I would, but I am going to be getting over $144 credited back to me just for switching out to larger shocks to support the lift I will be adding

 

I won't be running much lift at all with my mid travel set up so that issue is not problem for me lol holding off till the start of next year to buy anything unless I find good deals so had to try

 

Haha, hey I can't knock you for trying! Why are your shocks so large if you aren't running that much lift though? You have the 10" travel 980-24-636 ones?

 

Not running anything yet but going to be running extended travel icons up front and what ever resi rears I can get the best deal on with a aal

 

Just get the resi's with extended travel I talked about. $198 per side is NOT bad at all! You can always use the billmelater with paypal and not pay anything for 6 months

The FJ's need to be modified on the eyelet don't they? I read a couple threads about this... I just looked for one of the FJ cruiser shocks P/N 980-02-417 and they state it's only good for about 1" of lift.. I have no idea what their specs are however..

 

They are about an inch shorter and extended length and about a half inch shorter on collapsed lengths. If DSM is warning you to use limiting straps on them, I would be a little worried.

Thanks for heads up on the shock boots btw! I'll let ORW know about the valving and stuff. Though that shouldn't be too hard to take care of even if it did come incorrectly!

 

Ahh, the overload may be the piece of the equation which makes it or breaks it for the FJ shocks, there's no telling for sure.. I will do though!

Re-order is placed tomorrow for the AAL and rear 2.0 non piggybacks, I'm excited!

 

Just got off the phone with ORW. They report the shock I am looking at is running an hourglass style at the eyelet on the bottom which is a half inch large vs. Our Taco's 12mm bolt. He is looking at bushing replacement options to either running energy bushings or running a smaller sleeve. Either way the shock will work, it just needs to retrofitted a tad from the supplier which you order them from to work correctly with our mounting.

It's looking good!

 

Great to know DoorDing, thank you for the info on this! They figured it out for me and have it all coming my way, I should see it tomorrow at my door step. This is good info for those looking to piece together their lift and is having issues figuring out a good rear setup which is non piggyback and a much cheaper option then Factory Series for the 2nd Gen's.

 

I have the same rear shocks as doording (except mine are on my truck )
But I am running the ICON 3 leaf progressive mini pack. I got 2" of lift out of it even tho it says it only lifts it 1.5". Others got the same results. Even fully drooped, I can still jump on the tire and get it to droop another inch or two without hitting the end of the shocks travel.
more pics in my gallery

 

Very nice truck by the way! ORW ended up selling me deavers 1.5" AAL because they just sold the icons yesterday, but whatever, it's all the same. The FJ shocks are actually just a hair shorter then the ones I picked up but it's good to know that those work too! As far as mine are concerned, I should be able to run them no problem then! There are people running the extended Bilstein 5100's for Tundra's on the Taco's which have a much larger collapsed and extended length on their AAL's and are having no issues whatsoever and are not having to to modify anything at all. It looks like the shocks I have posted give you plenty of options for lift and the FJ ones are definitely safe for AT LEAST a 2" lift.

It's very obvious that at this point anyone wanting to run a Fox 2.0 shock looking to do over a 1" lift which their factory series limits has their options very much open to them. I really hope some of the members looking to lift and curious run into this thread. There is great information here!

Aren't the FJ ones piggybacks though?

 

I just want the reservoir mounted out of the way from the actual shock itself. I have seen too many threads about interference between the stock mounting point and the fitting to the reservoir on the upper mounted piggybacks. With my style there is a lot of risk of backing up into a rock and busting the reservoir while wheeling, which I really don't feel like risking. Id much rather have the reservoirs mounted independently of the shock and out of the way of the upper towers and of rocks down low. Essentially I get to have my cake AND eat it too.

 

Highly agreed. Piggybacks make mounting a breeze. At this point though I will not mind the extra work which will indirectly result in the peace of mind knowing they won't be crushed or damaged at the fitting

Pictures and report to come tomorrow when I receive these puppies.

 

Yeah, it takes a few months to come up with a plan of attack!